After India comfortably clinched the T20I series 2-1, the first ODI to be played at Trent Bridge in Nottingham would set the tone for the coming matches.
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Keeping in mind that both teams are extremely strong and would be breathing down each other’s neck, here is India’s probable playing XI for the 3rd T20I against England at Nottingham:
OPENERS
Shikhar Dhawan
Dhawan failed to leave a mark in the T20Is. He starred with an explosive 74-run knock in the 1st match against Ireland but since then his bat has been quiet.
Dhawan had a great run of form in IPL where he started the innings for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Although he did not have a breakout season, he played some really good knocks.
Rohit Sharma
In the T20I series against England, Rohit Sharma opened along with regular partner Shikhar Dhwan. Although, he failed in the first two matches, he came up with an amazing century in the third game to take his team home.
Rohit had a very bad IPL season and the Mumbaikar was not timing the ball at all. However, one hopes that after a breakout innings in the last match, fourtunes may take a turn.
Also Read: Sourav Ganguly credits Virat Kohli to bring the best out of MS Dhoni
MIDDLE ORDER
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli vacated his No 3 spot for KL Rahul in the T20I series and has been moving up and down the order. However, one expects him to get back at No 3 in the ODIs.
In the recent times, he has shown a tendency to bat at No 4 but many believe that his game is most suited at one down. At the same time, he will try to accelerate with his typical controlled aggression.
KL Rahul
KL Rahul’s unbeaten 100 in the first T20I was a treat to watch. Scoring runs is one thing but scoring them in the manner in which KL Rahul is scoring those runs these days is something extraordinary. Rahul is certainly in a league of his own right now.
He is scoring consistently and in his own style without playing a single rash shot. Rahul has been able to maintain his strike rate and impress the entire cricketing fraternity.
Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina did not get a chance to bat in the first and third T20I but played a useful cameo in the second game. Raina was back to scoring ways with a classy half century in the 2nd T20I against Ireland and has done enough to keep his place.
Raina had made a comeback to the team in the series against South Africa. He did not perform exceedingly well but he has done enough to maintain a place in the team. Being a left hander and having lots of experience are the two things that go in his favour.
WICKET-KEEPER AND ALL-ROUNDER
MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni would be an automatic selection for the team. He would take his place behind the stumps and also assume his role of a finisher.
Dhoni has shown signs of coming back to his explosive best in the IPL and if he can carry forward that form, it would be great for India.
Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya has performed well both with bat and ball in the T20I series till now. He is Virat Kohli’s favourite and would get a chance in the playing XI as a bowling all-rounder. If Pandya can give the team some economical overs and can come in the lower order to propel the score of the team, he would have done his job.
PACERS
Umesh Yadav
Umesh bowled economically in the first two T20I and also picked up a couple of wickets. He is expected to retain his spot.
Umesh Yadav had an exciting IPL and performed well in the one-off Test against Afghanistan as well. In Bumrah’s absence, Siddarth Kaul could have also been played but Umesh’s chances look brighter, especially after what he did in the last match.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was rested in the last match due to a back spasm and is expected to be bat for the ODI series. Frankly speaking, he has looked a bit out of sorts in the T20I series.
Although he was economical in the 2nd T20I, he could not pick up wickets. Bhuvi is a champion of swing bowling. In conditions that assist him, he would be a very lethal weapon.
SPINNERS
Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal is a crafty leg spinner and mixes his googlies and topspin as well along with the leg spin. He is not afraid of flighting the ball.
Chahal becomes all the more dangerous when the batsmen try to go after him. Chahal not only bowls economically but also gives the much required breakthroughs in the middle overs.
Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav was dropped in the last match but is expected to be back in this game. Kuldeep made an entry to the England series in grand style, picking up a fifer. He instantly became the most-discussed bowler in the England dressing room. After an impressive first match, he was not at his best at Cardiff.
The English batsmen played him well in the 2nd T20I. Though he had just one bad over and deserved a place in the side in the last T20I as well.
